*Hey guys! So sudden inspiration hit and I decided to start a new Walking Dead story. For those of you who haven't checked out my other stories, I have two Walking Dead stories both currently being written, Safe and Sound and Wicked Games. Definitely check those out if you can! This story will probably get the least attention but I'll try to update as frequently as I can. Hope you enjoy (:


Butterfly Caught


Chapter 1: One Way Ticket


Daryl let out a breath as he lifted the dead deer carcass onto the back of his old pick-up truck. It landed with a loud bang as its heavy weight collided with the metal of the bed. With his latest catch firmly tucked away, he swiped at the sweat forming at his hairline. He bent down to pick up the crossbow leaning against the tire of his vehicle before slamming the tailgate shut. He walked around the truck and quickly slid into the driver's side.

His truck roared to life as he shoved the keys in the ignition and he was on his way back to his town soon enough.

When he had left early this morning for his normal Saturday hunting trip, Merle had been knocked out on the couch, shirtless with beer bottles littered around him. Some were still half-full, tipped over and spilling onto the already stained carpet. He had left feeling a bit angry because he knew he would end up being the one who cleaned it all up.

But there was not a damn thing he could do about it. Merle was Merle and he would do whatever the hell he wanted without consideration for anybody. It was just how he was. And Daryl frankly did not have the energy to put up with his temper tantrums most of the time; so he let him be and stuck to cleaning up his brother's messes. It's what he had been doing most of his life.

He was shifted from his thoughts as he drew closer to the town. He hadn't gone very far this time around. It was a wonder he had even managed to nail a deer so close by. Usually he only came across them on his overnight hunting trips where he would venture way into the woods. But today he had felt some urge to stay close by.

He had spent most of the day hunting though as the sun was now starting to lower as evening set in.

A car, turned over with smashed windows in the middle of the road caught his attention as he slowed down his truck. He pulled his truck to a stop and cut the engine before slowly getting out. His chunky hunting boots cracked some loose rocks on the side of the road and he walked closer to the car.

"Are ya'll all right in there?" He called out.

He heard a low groan and stepped closer. Some blood covered the road next to the driver's side and he bent down to see if the person was okay. There was someone still buckled up by the seat belt, holding him into the upside down car. The person let out another low noise from the back of his throat.

"Hey." Daryl said. "Imma' try and go get help, okay? Think ya' can hold on till then?"

Suddenly the man turned his face up and the sight nearly made Daryl topple backwards onto his ass. His irises were completely void of color as veins ran through his entire eye, all bloodshot and irritated. There was a wound on the side of his head that had ripped off a whole chunk of flesh above his ear. Dry blood covered the entire area. The man began snapping in Daryl's direction, like a rabid animal. Daryl let out a noise of disgust as he backed up slightly. The man started to growl louder, becoming more desperate as his arms shot out, grasping in his direction.

"What in the hell?" Daryl muttered to himself.

He stood up as the man continued to groan and make a fuss. His skin was pale with blue veins visible under the transparent flesh. The smell of rotting flesh and decay made Daryl cover his nose with his hand. He backed up, wanting to get away from the thing. He decided to leave it, go back to town and send the cops back this way. He didn't want to risk helping the crazed man who looked like he wanted to take a bite out of him.

He got back into his truck and quickly began making his way back to town.

Once he was in the town's limit, his eyes widened as he took in the mess in front of him. Cars littered the street, some with the window's busted in, others festering dead people, most of who Daryl recognized. His lips pulled down in confusion, not really believing his eyes. He weaved his truck through the clustered road and into the trailer park where he lived with his brother. He could hear screams and a few gun shots. People were running around in the streets looking frazzled and frightened.

With more urgency, Daryl ran inside the trailer looking for Merle. As soon as he was inside his brother was yelling commands his way.

"'Bout time ya' get yer ass back home." Merle shouted. "Pack yer shit, bro. We gotta' go."

"What the fuck is goin' on?" Daryl question as Merle threw some of his belongings into a large bag.

"People gone fuckin' nuts." Merle grumbled. "Eatin' each other and some shit. Now quit standin' around like some retard and get yer shit together. We gotta' get outta' here."

Daryl didn't question him for the moment, remembering the guy in the car back on the road. He grabbed one of the bags he took on his overnight hunting trip and began to pack as fast as he could. He threw in some clothes, his hunting gear, his knives, and a tent. Most of the things he took on camping trips were already in his truck. He had never really unpacked from last weekend's adventures. He grabbed his gun from his nightstand and shoved it into his waist band.

When he was finished, Merle was already outside. His brother threw his stuff into Daryl's truck before getting on his motorcycle.

"Come on, boy." Merle hissed. "Let's get outta' here."

Daryl looked around for a moment. He saw one of his neighbors screeching her head off as some man limped after her. He froze in his spot as he saw the man tackle her to the ground, sinking his teeth in her neck. The woman cried out as her flesh was yanked in his teeth. Daryl looked back at his brother who was watching the scene as well.

"What the fuck are those things?" Daryl shouted.

"Does it matter?" Merle replied. "Get yer ass in yer truck and lets go before we end up like that ole' cooze."

Daryl didn't argue as he slid into his truck, quickly staring up the engine. He pulled his truck out onto the main road but instead of heading for the highway, he began to backtrack into the town. He couldn't leave without her…he couldn't.

He heard Merle put his bike into action before he caught up to Daryl's side.

"Ey! Whadda' ya' doin'?" He screamed at his brother over the roar of the two engines. "Highway's other direction."

Daryl didn't answer his brother as he stared straight ahead, eyes determined. Merle's own eyes narrowed as realization set in.

"Do not tell me ya' goin' back for that girl." He shouted as he kept his bike in line with the truck. "She's probably dead, bro. We gotta' go!"

"I'm ain't leavin' without her." Daryl finally answered.

"Fuckin' dumb shit." Merle muttered under his breath. "Swear if ya' get us killed, I'll kick yer ass in hell."

But he continued to follow his brother as he pulled up to a small, yellow house on the other side of the small town. He pulled his truck to the side road and quickly got out. There were a few of those things wandering around and the sight of the living flesh and the smell of the dead deer in the back of his truck, made them rabid. Daryl grabbed his crossbow and shot two of them, nailing them right in the eye. They both collapsed forward.

Merle got off his bike and loaded his gun quickly.

"Jus' go get the bitch." He yelled to Daryl. "I'll cover out here. Make it quick."

Daryl gave his brother a nod before going to the house. He pounded on the door for a minute but decided against waiting for an answer and just yanked the door opened, not surprised that it was unlocked. He closed the door behind him. The house was quiet, too quiet for Daryl's liking. He kept his crossbow steady as he began to creep through the house.

"Leah!" He called out.

He was not met with an answer. Letting out a frustrated breath, he headed towards the bedroom. He yanked the door open, leveling his crossbow to shoot quickly if need be. When nothing attacked him, he entered the room swiftly. A packed duffle bag and suitcase was sitting in front of the bed. He walked to them and grabbed a piece of paper sitting on the top…it was a one-way plane ticket to Texas. He frowned as he set it down.

"Leah?" He yelled out again. "Ya' in here?"

"Daryl?" He heard someone breathe out and the door on the other side began to creek open. He held up his crossbow but it soon lowered as the blonde stepped out from the bathroom, a gun hanging loosely in her hand, looking completely frightened.

She looked just like the last time he had seen her. Her long, blonde hair fell in waves down her chest and her sun-kissed skin glistened slightly in the dim room. Her bright blue eyes seemed to glow in the light as her delicate features contorted together as she stared at the man in front of her. She was dressed in the same red, plaid shirt and jean shorts that she had been that night at the bar and her feet were stuffed in brown, worn cowboy boots.

"Leah." He sighed, walking towards her. He pulled her in a quick hug, letting out a relieved breath but she didn't return it. He backed away slightly, his chest feeling heavy.

"What are you doin' here?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"We gotta' go." He ignored her question. "Merle's waitin' outside. Get yer stuff and let's go."

"Daryl-" She began but he quickly shushed her.

"Not now, Leah." He grunted. "We needa' get outta' here."

He stepped away from her and grabbed her already packed bags from the floor. He walked out of the room and he heard her light footsteps following closely behind him. He threw the door opened and Merle turned around at the noise.

"'Bout fuckin' time." His brother groaned. "Let's get the fuck outta' this town."

Merle had managed to sweep the small street clean of those things but more were beginning to come because of the noise. He heard Leahlet out a small gasp from behind him as she caught side of the people walking around, blood dripping from their mouth, some half decapitated. With his free hand, he yanked onto her wrist, pulling her towards his truck. He threw her bags in the back with the deer.

"Nice to see yer fine ass still alive, girl." Merle chuckled from beside her as Daryl turned to send a glare towards his brother. Merle lifted his hands in a small surrender.

"Get in." Daryl commanded and she quickly got into the passenger side. Merle hopped onto his own bike as Daryl started up the truck. The end of the street leading to the highway was thankfully cleared as those things began to filter into the street from the other side. He stepped on the gas and the car accelerated towards the highway. They needed to get out of their quick before the growing herd got to them. Merle followed after them just as fast.

The truck was filled with a tense silence as both Daryl and Leah refused to say a word. It wasn't until they were safely on the highway, the town fading into the distance when she finally spoke up.

"What's going on?" She asked as she looked up at Daryl with frightened blue eyes.

Daryl glanced down at her for a moment before focusing back on the road.

"No fuckin' idea." Daryl blew out some air. "Got back from huntin' and people were eatin' each other. Don't know what's makin' them so crazy but no need to stick 'round a find out. Police or sumthin' will put an end to it, I guess."

"I just heard screams and gunshots." Leah let out with a shaky breath. "I-I didn't know what to do."

The truck went silent again, tension still abundant as ever. Daryl could hear her heavy breathing as her body shook slightly from fright. He wanted so badly to reach over and comfort her but it had been so long…it wasn't his place anymore.

"Why'd you come back for me?" Her voice was barely louder than the silence.

Daryl's fist clenched on the steering wheel, "I couldn't just leave ya' there, Leah."

"Why not?" She asked bitterly. "Wouldn't be the first time."

Daryl's grip tightened even more, "Leah, don't start. Not now."

Leah's gaze turned into a glare as she stared at the man, "Should've just left me there. No sense in bringin' me with you when you're just gonna' drop me the second we come across some other girl who catches your attention."

"How many times ya' gonna' bring this shit up, Leah?" Daryl hissed.

"I don't know." She bit. "Until you finally tell me what was goin' on in that god damn head of yours."

"Look, I told ya' before and I'll tell ya' again. It was a fuckin' mistake." Daryl grunted. "How long ya' going to hold that over my head for?"

"I didn't have to hold anything over your head." She snapped. "You left me, Daryl. I didn't have to do shit."

Daryl turned his head to glare at her briefly, "Don't sit there and pretend like ya' weren't gonna' do the same. I saw that plane ticket. Ya' were gonna' leave without even telling me."

"I'm not yours anymore. I don't have to tell you anythin'." She fought. "And you wonder why I was leaving? My dad died, Daryl…and then I lost you. I didn't have anything left in that fuckin' town. Of course I was goin' to leave. Nothing keeping me there anymore."

Daryl let out a heavy breath before unclenching his tense fists. She was completely right. She wasn't his anymore, as much as that pained him. She didn't need to tell him anything. But he couldn't believe she would have just left without saying anything to him…

Daryl had known Leah most of his life. She had lived on the opposite side of town as long as he had remembered. Being three years younger than him, they hadn't spent much time together during their younger years.

But he remembered the first time he had talked her. She was only eighteen; had managed to sneak her way into the local bar with a fake ID. She was causing a stir in the bar with her young, toned body-long legs and ravishing curves, tousled blonde hair and smoldering blue eyes. Daryl had never been one to approach women and he stuck by that. But she had seemed unable to keep him off her sights and it wasn't long before she had slid into the seat next to him, striking up a small conversation.

She had been kind, funny and all-around stunning…nothing like that typical girls who threw themselves his way. They had always been trashy, small town girls who slept with anything willing to get in between their legs. But Leah had been different. She had been planning on leaving for college in the fall, going to some university in Texas where her mom lived. But fall rolled around and she never left. With her dad losing his job months before and her mom's new husband who refused to allow her to send a penny her daughter's way, she wasn't able to afford a semester there. Instead, she picked up a job as a waitress at a local diner and had stuck around for the next five years.

The girl shifted next to him, waking him from his thoughts. He ran a hand down his face as he realized it was already nightfall. He saw the small, hidden road leading to one of his favorite hunting spots. He turned his truck onto the road and continued to drive a few miles into the deep woods. He pulled the truck to a stop and cut the engine before stepping out. Merle pulled up behind him and pulled the key from his bike, quieting the thing.

"Think we put enough distance between us and that town?" Daryl asked.

Merle nodded a bit, "'Bout time we stop and set up a camp. We can continue forward in the mornin'. Ass was gettin' tired of ridin' anyways. ."

He heard his truck roar to life and glanced up to see Leah fumbling with the radio. All she was met with was static.

"Ain't gonna' get much of a signal up here." Daryl called out to her. "Gotta' wait till we get back onto the main road."

He saw her shoulder's hunch forward as she turned the car off.

Daryl returned his attention to the stuff piling in the bed of his truck as he heard Leah step out from the truck. He turned around to push his tailgate down, sliding some of the bags out from inside. The deer carcass was still there and Daryl planned to cook as much as he could tonight. Come tomorrow, it would all go to waste anyways. Leah moved closer to his side, crossing her arms over her chest as she felt unsure of what to do.

"Think ya' can start a fire while me and Merle set up the tents?" He asked, not looking at her.

"Yeah." Leah answered, before walking off feeling relieved that she had an excuse to get away for the moment.

Daryl watched her begin collecting rocks. When they had been together, he had taken her camping a few times around. He had taught her the basics of how to set and make a fire. He knew he could trust her with the task and went back to getting out the things they would need. It didn't take him and Merle long to set up the two tents. They had been doing it for years. Leah was still collecting some wood for the fire so Daryl set his focus on cutting and gutting the deer. It was a little hard to see in the light but with his experienced, it didn't take him that much longer than it would have.

Once he had finished, Leah had managed to set up a small fire. It was enough to cook the meat but not large enough to draw attention from smoke rising above the tree if any of those things had made their way up here. Daryl doubted they would. He figured the police or military had already taken care of the problem. They could probably go back tomorrow morning but he would try and tune in a radio station and go off of that. For now though, they would stay here for the night.

Daryl began to cook the meat as Leah sat on the floor next to him, her legs curled into her chest. She watched as Merle grabbed some things from his bag; her eyes catching onto the bright orange pill bottles.

"He started again?" She asked Daryl quietly.

Daryl looked at her before following her gaze to see his brother with his large clear zip-lock bag full of various pills.

"'Bout a month ago." Daryl answered.

Leah frowned at the news. She rubbed her arms as the air slightly grew colder. It was only August and Georgia was still very hot and humid. But with her nerves on the end from the day's events, she couldn't help it as her body shivered.

"Cold?" The man next to her asked, his voice rough and scratchy like it had always been.

"A little." She replied.

Daryl shrugged off the jacket he was wearing and held it out for her to take. She looked at it for a moment but didn't take it from his hands.

"Daryl-" She began to protest but Daryl shushed her.

"Just take the god damn jacket, Leah." He hissed.

She swallowed heavily as she glanced at him for a second. Her hand slowly reached out and grabbed it. She put it on, sliding her slender arms in. It smelled like him…the scent latched onto her skin and swirled around her. She felt her body relax slightly because of its effects.

Daryl observed her in his jacket. It reminded him of the time they had been together; all the times he had seen her wearing his clothes. His favorite time had been the morning after the first time they had slept together. She had thrown on his large white t-shirt. It had hung loose on her lean frame, falling to her upper thighs. She had looked so sexy. He remembered lying in bed, just watching her as she moved around. He wished he could go back to that moment but it was long gone.

The meat was soon cooked and the three sat around in silence as they ate their food. Merle would glance at them every now and then, smirking when he recognized his brother's jacket on her.

"Surprise ya' came with us, baby girl." Merle teased. "Thought ya' wanted nothing to with my brother. Not that I blame ya'."

Daryl glared at his brother as he chewed on his meat.

Leah brushed some hair from her face, "Wasn't like I had much of a choice."

"Coulda' stayed back and became one of them geeks. Runnin' round with half a brain and a large appetite for some meat." Merle smirked.

"You're right. I should have." Leah smiled. "Would've been much better than sittin' around with this thing."

She gestured toward Daryl as Merle let out a little laugh. Daryl gave a huff, not feeling surprised at her words. Merle flicked a piece of meat at him. Daryl dodged it as his glare increased.

"Don't get yer panties in a bunch, Darylina." Merle joked. "We're only teasin'."

Daryl shoved the rest of his meal into his mouth before standing up.

"I'm goin' to sleep." He said coldly before walking off to his tent. Merle rolled his eyes at his brother's behavior.

"Ya' sure ya' don't wanna stay in my tent, baby girl?" Merle leered. "I'm such I'll be much better company than that pussy."

It was then that Leah realized there were only two tents. She frowned but didn't know why she had expected to have a tent all to herself. She hadn't brought one with her. If the bed of Daryl's truck wasn't covered in deer blood, she probably would've debated sleeping on that. But it didn't seem that she had much of a choice of where to sleep. It was either Daryl's tent or Merle's. And as much as Merle made her laugh on occasion, she was not about to willingly get in the tent with the pervert.

She shook her head at his suggestion with a light smile before standing up.

"I think I'm going to head off, too." She said. "You should get some sleep as well, Merle."

"Yeah, yeah." Merle said, waving her off. "Have fun cuddling up with my brother."

Leah felt her cheeks turn a light pink as she walked off. She quickly ducked inside the tent. It was dark and she could hardly see anything. She shrugged off Daryl's jacket before sitting on the cot hesitantly. She felt a little unsure of what to do with herself.

Daryl turned over to look at her for a moment before whispering, "C'mere."

And just like that, Leah allowed herself to be folded into his arms. She curled up against him and her head lightly fit into the crook of his neck. His muscular arms pulled her closer until her leg fit in between his own.

Leah frowned slightly as she closed her eyes. She wanted to be mad at him still, wanted to pull away and sleep as far away from him as she possibly could. But she couldn't bring herself to move away from his warm form. Somehow she always ended up like this…tucked away in his strong arms despite everything that was going on.


Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Please drop a review and let me know what you think! Writing this was really a spur of the moment thing but sudden inspiration hit me and I couldn't resist. Safe and Sound will still have a priority, then Wicked Games and then this story. I'll try and update all three as much as I can. I should have more free time after this week though! Thanks again and love you all (: